Field Trip: Fabricana

A few days ago I checked out Fabricana for the first time. I can't say I was blown away exactly, but it certainly is a big improvement over Fabricland! Especially considering you don't need to purchase the dreaded membership to take advantage of sale prices.

(I also determined that yes, Atex Fabrics has good prices! Charmeuse at Fabricana was $18-$25/meter for a 44" width, as compared to $14/meter for a 60" width at Atex. Looks like I know where I'm going to pick up my fabric for the Pendrell blouse!)

They were having a 50% off sale on notions, so I used the opportunity to buy all the bits and pieces I'm missing or running low on. I was so proud of myself, I even had a list. The best purchase I made was definitely the tailor's ham and sleeve roll pictured above! I'm feeling totally prepared now... welcome, 2011! Let's get started!

Field Trip: Atex Fabrics

After picking out my patterns at Spool of Thread the other day, I started thinking more seriously about fabric. Off I went to Google and, lo and behold, there are a few more fabric stores in this city than I was previously aware of.

One in particular piqued my curiosity, so after work that same day I headed out to do some reconnaissance.

Atex Fabrics, also known as Designer Fabrics (which is the name on the sign above the door, should you be in the neighbourhood), is a small shop near Cambie and Hastings. This place was a little intimidating for a relative beginner like me. It's essentially a small warehouse space with shelves of 60" rolls of fabric down each wall. It definitely gives off a wholesale kind of vibe, and I almost wanted to skedaddle out of there before my newbie home sewist cover was blown.

That is, until I spoke to the shopkeeper (and owner), who was totally kind and friendly. I learned that, despite my suspicion of some bulk-purchase requirement, they will be happy to sell you as little as 0.2 meters of any fabric - and it seems like a great selection of fabric at that. Especially if you're into natural fibres - I spied plenty of 100% wool, silk, linen, and cotton - even with my untrained eyes.

I'm not savvy enough yet to weigh in on the prices, but after some more time on Google I'm inclined to say that they were quite good. They had a rainbow of different colours of 100% silk charmeuse for $13.95/meter (60" width) - I'll be doing some price comparing tomorrow, but I'm thinking this could be the fabric for the Pendrell blouse. The bonus? This place is only three blocks from my office, and one block from Dressew. Suddenly this is all becoming very convenient...

Fellow Vancouverites - If you haven't checked this place out yet, head on down!

Field Trip: Spool of Thread

Today I made my first visit to Vancouver's new sewing lounge, Spool of Thread. And what a cute little shop it is! I almost lament being blessed to own my sewing equipment, as it seems like it'd be such a fun place to hang out and work.

Usually, the "planning" stage of any sewing project for me consists of an impulsive trip to whatever chain sewing store I'm familiar with, flipping through The Big 3 pattern catalogues, making a choice and picking the most suitable fabric available that I can afford. Now, that's not to say that this is always a bad idea - sometimes being impulsive and spontaneous can be fun and rewarding. But it's certainly not the smartest or most relaxing way to go about things. (Especially when it usually ends with you forgetting to buy some important notions in your rush out the door!)

Not this time, folks. Nope, I'm putting my best foot forward and doing my research. In keeping with my rule to use local and/or independent patterns for at least three garments this year, I've been browsing around and I quickly found two pattern companies being raved about in the blogosphere - one of which is local to Vancouver. Win! And as it happens, both are carried in stock at Spool of Thread. Double win!

Hence, today's field trip. It's a good thing I'd done my planning ahead of time because it's so far from my work I only had ten minutes to get in and out the door! But I was successful, and I picked up two patterns to kick of my 2011 sewing:

First, we have Sencha from Colette Patterns:

Second, we have Pendrell from the local Sewaholic Patterns:

I have a few thoughts about both, but I'll save them for more specific posts in the coming months. Let's just say I think both have the potential to be very beautiful garments and I'm hoping that I'm up to the challenge of creating them!

In the meantime, I have some supplies to buy - particularly fabric. I'm thinking of silks... mmm, silk.